Hong Kong is winter kissed once again! While we are getting ready for the festivities —the year-end parties, holidays and get togethers with friends, the cold temperatures continue to create havoc. The dry and frigid air outside and the super heating indoors, doesn’t agree well with our skin, leaving it parched, ripping it of its protective layers and making it incapable of repairing itself.

Keep calm! All you need are a few changes in your skin care routine. With that ticked, radiant skin, glistening under the winter sun, will no longer be a distant dream. Here’s a tally of most common winter skin problems and practical and easy solutions to tackle them.

Alternately, you can apply a combination of lemon and turmeric before taking a shower. It locks the moisture in, while turmeric also soothes dehydrated skin. Remember to apply a body lotion while the skin is still damp. They say you get only 3-5 minutes window to seal the natural moisture. Body Shop’s Olive Body Butter/ HoneyMania Body Butter are completely worthy of recommendation. Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion Skin Conditioner is also a handy product to use.

Don’t forget to exfoliate your skin. While exfoliation is an important part of our skin care regime, it’s particularly crucial in winters. You don’t want a layer of dead skin to eat up the moisturising goodness that you are providing your skin. Homemade exfoliator prepared with honey and sugar (it can be preserved in a jar) does the job for all skin types.

Home made exfoliator of Honey and sugar

Lastly, wear sunscreen. Don’t we love soaking in the winter sun (whenever we get some that is)! Make sure to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before stepping out for those sunbaths. While it’s a regular ritual that we follow in summers, we somehow give it a miss during the cold months. It’s definitely not a wise idea.

It’s a common problem during winter. And a common culprit is the hot water head shower that we find so hard to resist, particularly on a chilly morning. Yes, they are tempting but the scalding temperatures dry out and remove the natural oils from our scalp. Flex that willpower muscle and dial down the temperature to lukewarm, especially for the head showers. It will not only prevent your scalp from getting dry and irritated, but will also restore your hair’s natural moisture and sheen.

In addition, a coconut oil head massage, once a week followed by a hot towel wrap or steam, is also an effective way to pump up your moisture levels.While coconut oil has been a traditional favourite, Argon Oil, obtained from nuts of Morocco’s argon tree continues to gain popularity. MorroconOil Original Treatment or Dry Scalp Treatment are definitely worth a try.

Hot Oil Massage is therapeutic in winters

CRACKED HEELS

Low temperatures, dry air, and even improper foot care are some of the reasons behind cracked heels, a regular winter woe. A little foot care plan will quickly fix it. For starters, good old ‘Vaseline’ works wonders. Apply that gooey substance on your heels at bedtime, put on comfortable cotton socks (make sure they aren’t fitted or tight) and go to sleep.

Follow this routine for a week, and you are sure to see a massive improvement in those cracked heels. If you want to step up the game, soak your feet in warm water for 15 minutes before going to bed. Scrub them with a pumice stone, and then apply Vaseline or any apricot cream for great results. A good pedicure also goes a long way. Try Bastein Gonsalez’ Pedi:Mani Cure Studio at Mandarin Oriental.

CHAPPED LIPS

Brush your lips with a toothbrush to get rid of that excess skin. The good old vaseline works very well for the lips too. Keep a chapstick in your bag at all times and reapply as and when needed. Kiehl’s lip balm, readily available at Hong Kong stores is highly dependable.

DRY HANDS

To soften the hands, add some sugar to lemon juice and use the mixture to scrub the hands. Massage cream on the hands soon after bathing and before sleeping at night. Massaging your hands with a mix of glycerine, rose water and castor oil before bed also preserves their natural softness.

Hands that are well taken care of

WINTER INDULGENCE

It’s the perfect time to give your skin some tender loving care. Take a trip to some of the city’s finest spas for a pampering and rejuvenation break!

Check out the Plateau Spa, at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Their ‘Winter Warmer treatment’ includes warm ginger and brown sugar exfoliation scrub to pump up the circulation followed by a heated aroma massage to relax your body.

This article on winter skin problems was published first on www.hkyantoyan.com – Hong Kong’s first lifestyle portal for Indians!